Measured-service telephone system



Dec. 23, 1924.

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W. W. OWEN MEASURED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM Original Filed Jan. 5. 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I fMllllllHr Inusnlur" Zn/z 1am Hal? Uwan 424. Z 62% Patented Dec. 23, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAIBII WALTER OWEN, OF OAK lABK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMATIC ELEC- TRIC COIJIPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

MEASURED-SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEIM.

ut lisat n file Janua y 3, 1920, Seri No. 3%.351. Renewed. June 4, 1924.

To all who 17bit may concern,

Be it known hat 1, WILL AM WALTER WEN. aizen of the United States of Ame ca, and a resident f Oak Park. in the oun y of Cook and State of Illinoi h e nve ted certa n n and usefu Improvements in hlleasured-Service Telephone Sys: ems, of wh ch h following is a spec fic tion.

My in en n ates in general to meas ur d se vice ele hone systems and more specifically to that typ of measured ser e system common y cal d zone me ring.

Among the object of my in nt on are, o prov de eans for properly charg ng pon calling subscribers mete the cha ge hich sho ld be as sse for hi calhthe charge varying in accordance ith the number of trunk lines over which his call has prog sed and w h he rate of charge pr e ermined for t e use f he ar ous trunk lines,

A so me ns is p o ided for continuously per ting th calling s bs ribe s me er at the predetermined rate as long as the seized trunk line is held for use.

Other objects are to provide improved and simplified devices for accon' plishing the above results.

A few metering system a ming at some of the above objects have been invented but it is believed that the system herein disclosed is less expensive, less complicated and is not so restricted in use, rendering it, more adaptable for commercial use.

In the system disclosed herein it is assumed that the couimuni y covered by a system is divided arbitrarily into zones of calling, each zone requiring a unit charge. In most cases the unit zone of calling will be all calls in a single exchange or community while calls from the first zone into an ad? joining zone or community require a double rate of charge. Then, if a call is made from one zone thru a second zone to a third zone. then, the charge per each unit of time should be practically three times as great as the unit of charge.

In the drawings comprising Figs. 1 to 4 attached hereto I have shown an established connection from one exchange thru a second exchange and into a third exchange where the callmay then proceed either to the called subscriber in that exchange, or, may be extended still further to lines in still other exchanges.

It should be understood that each exchange consists of a number of line switches, selectors, and connectors, the number depending upon the size of the exchange, also in each exchange there are incoming selectors of a special type in which the incoming trunk lines from other exchanges terminate and also there are a number of selector repeaters in each exchange which are accessible to a certain level or levels of the first selectors and which have access to outgoing trunks to other exchanges. Thus it will be seen, that hen a subs riber makes a call to another exchange he first operates his line switch to seize a sel ctor in the usual way and then operates his selector to seize a selector re peater. instead of the regular connector used for local calls.

The selector repeater is then operated to pick out an out going trunk line to the proper exchange and the. next series of impulses are then repeated by the selector repeater to the incoming selector in the other exchange. The incoming selector is then operated to either seize aconncctor in the other exchange if the call is local or to seize a selector rcpeater in said other exchange it the call is to be extended to still another exchange.

In the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a calling line A in the first exchange having a line switch C individual thereto. which has access to a plurality of selectors such as I). The selector D it will be understood. has access to the regular connectors such as shown at H (Fig. 4) from certain levels and also has access to a few selector repeaters one of hich is shown at E (Fig. 2) and which in turn has access to trunk lines to other exchanges. The trunk line shown leads to another exchange and terminates there in the special or incoming selector F. (Fig. 3.) This selector is very similar to the selector D (Fig. 1) and has access in common with the regular selectors of this second exchange to standard connector switches and also to the selector repeaters such as G for calls which are to be extended to other exchanges.

The selector repeater G is the same as the selector repeater E (Fig. 2).

In Fig. 4 shown a selector l of the same lllll lllf) type as selector F (Fig. 3) and a connector H of standard type having access to the local lines of the third exchange.

I will now explain more in detail the operations of the switches in the various exchanges when the subscriber A sets up a long distance call to a subscriber either in the second zone or exchange or in a third zone.

When the subscriber at A removes his receiver he operates the line switch C in a well known manner, closing the line circuit operates line relay 2 which closes a series circuit for switching relay 3 and rotary magnet 4 in series and also prepares a short circuit about relay 3 to the private wiper. Should the first trunk line be busy the ground on the private wiper operates the rotary magnet 4 to step the wipers ahead to an idle trunk. When the idle trunk is reached relay 3 is no longer shorted and energizes to cut off the direct rotary magnet circuit and to switch the line circuit thru to the seized selector D (assumed to be the switch seized). Relay 3 also closes one point in the circuit of the meter X which is connected thereby thru afourth wiper 5 to the selector.

As soon as switch I) is seized, its line relay 6 energizes over the line circuit and closes the circuit of slow relay 7 which grounds the release trunk to hold switch C on the trunk and prepares a circuit for the vertical magnet 3 and series slow relay 9.

The first series of impulses now operate the relay 6 and cause the vertical magnet 8 to step the wipers to a desired level, in this case assumed to be the level in which outgoing selector repeaters such as .E are located. As soon as the switch takes the first vertical step the springs 10 close and relay 11 operates to close the circuit of the rotary magnet 12. As soon as relay 9 falls back after the impulses cease the circuit of rotary magnet 12 is completed and said magnet operates to step the switch around in search of an idle selector repeater E. Each time magnet 12 operates it opens the circuit of relay 11 which in turns opens the circuit of magnet 12. The ground on the private wiper will again energize relay 11 in case the trunk is busy. This alternate operation of magnet 12 and relay 11 continues until an idle trunk line is reached at which time relay 13, which has heretofore been short circuited by the ground on the private wiper. energizes in series with relay 11, relay 11 being adjusted so as not to energize in series with relay 13.

The operation of relay 13 switches the line circuit thru to the wipers and to the seized selector repeater E (Fig. 2) and also closes another point in the circuit of the meter magnet X at springs 14. lVhen the line circuit is extended to the selector repeater E a. circuit is completed for the line relay 1.- thereof in series with the calling line. Relay 15 energizes and in turn operates relay 16 which grounds the release trunk to hold relays 3 and 13 of the line switch C and selector D energized and prepares the circuit of vertical magnet 17 in multiple with the slow relay 18.

As the next series of impulses are sent in relay 15 responds thereto and operates magnet 17 to step the Wipers 19, 20. and 21 of the selector repeater to some level in which are located trunk lines leading to the ex change in which it is desired to call. Relay 18 energizes and remains energized during this series of impulses and holds the rotary interrupter relay 22 energized. Relay 22 looks energized thru springs of rotary magnet 23 and the off normal springs 25 and holds the relay 24 short circuited for the present.

As soon as the impulses of this second digit cease and relay 18 falls back an impulse is sent to the rotary magnet 23 from ground thru springs 26, springs 27 and of relay 24, springs 29 and 30 of relay 18, springs 31 of relay 22 and thru magnet 23 to battery. Magnet 23 now operates to step the wipers onto the first set of contacts in the selected level, and opens the circuit of relay 22 at springs 22. Relay 32 falls back and opens the circuit of magnet 23 at springs 31. Should the first set of contacts be busy then a circuit would be completed from ground over the private wiper 21, thru springs 33 and 34, springs 32, springs 25 and relay 22 to battery. Relay 22 again closes the circuit of magnet 23 to step the wipers to the next set of contacts. This alternate operation of relay 22 and of mag net 23 continues until an idle trunk line is reached when there is no ground present at the private contact, then relay 24, which has been short cironited by this ground on the private wiper, energizes in series with relay 22. clay 24 upon energizing opens the circuit. of vertical magnet 17, opens the rotary magnet circuit at springs 27 and and completes a. locking circuit for itself to the private wiper to prevent its being shorted out when ground is supplied to the private wiper by the switch ahead. Relay 24 also closes a bridge at. springs 35 across the seized trunk, which is assumed to lead to the incoming selector F of the next exchange (Fig. 3). The circuit thus closed for the line relay of said selector F extends from ground thru the lower winding of line relay 36. springs 37 and 38. conductor 39, contact 40 and wiper 20. springs 41, o i' line relay 15, relay 42, upper winding of polarized relay 43, springs 35. wiper 19 and contact 44. conductor 45. springs 46 and 47, and thru the upper winding of relay 31'; to battery. Relays 36 and 42 energize over this circuit. relay 42 closing the circuit of the polarizing winding of relay 43. Relay 43 does not energize at :this time due to the fact that current flows in opposite directions in its two windings. It will be seen that the magnet 48 at selector repeater E is connected thru the high resistance 49 and springs 50 and 51 to one side of the :line circuit, magnet 48 however isso adjusted and resistance 49 is of such a value :thatthe magnet does not energize with the normal current flow over .the dine circuit. Relay 36 of selector F upon energizing, causes relay 52 to operate to prepare the vertical magnet circuit and also to close a circuit for relay 53 at springs 54. Relay 53 while energizing momentarily closes a circuit from the special battery Y thru the magnet -18 and resistance 49 at the selector repeater E as follows: battery Y :thrn resistance 5%, springs 55, 56 and v57, over conductor 39,, contact 40, Wiper 20 springs 50 and 51., resistance 'tt), magnet Stohattery, Qurnent from :the battery Y now current flowing .ctrom the regular ibattery thru ,ma net 48 and causes said magnet to operate once to step the wiper of i the .auxiliaryo-r minor switch 8 vto its first contact. Should the trunk line 391t5 he,o t-.douhlethe length for which .one unit of. chame .is ,required then it would-be necessaryto ,have .the relay 53,-of the incoming selector assooiat edtherewith, send two impulses, this may die accomplished in the manner shown in my prior Patent No. :1,359,913, by slightly .modifying the circuits to send out battery ,over only one side of-the line: or .in-any other desired manner to operate the magnet same steps.

.Common to all of .the selector ,repeaters such as E and G of each exchange .are .a plurality of timed interrupters or circuit closers M, N, O. 1 etc. only the .first four of which are shown. These .interrupters may be of any desireditypeor-construction. For simplicity I have shown each .intorrupter as consisting -of .a rotatable wiper 58, 59, 60 etc. each wiper passing-over .a series of groundedcontacts driven by a imaguct such as 62, the circuitof which is controlled. by a' timing device. For instance the magnet 62 will be operated one step each 3 seconds, the magnet 63 will be operated one step each 2 seconds, magnet 64 one .step each second and magnet 65 two steps each second etc. Thus it will be .seen that if the switch B steps one step it will switch the meter conductor firom the selector trepeater to .the interrupter which will operate. the meter once every three seconds and if B steps two steps it will switch .to the interrupter which will operate the meter once every two seconds etc.

The timing device may be a motor driven shaft having a number of cams, which-are adapted to apply ground to-their associated interrupter-magnets one -01'J1101'Q times per revolution. Patent No. 1233,893issued to A. E. Lu ndiell shows an arrangement in Figure 2 which might be easily modified .to rapplygronnd t0 the va rious interrupter magnets at the proper time. or this may be accomplished in any other well known manner.

Returning now to .the operation of the selector F (Fig. 3), when the next series of impulses are sent from the calling device they operate the line .relay 15 (of the selector repeat-er E (Fig. 2,) as for the previous digit. In ,this case however the only effecstive.chcuitcontrolled .by the line relay 15 is the circuit of the line relay 36-of. the selector F. Each time =relay 15 operates it opens a circuit at springs 41 for'said line relay '36. Relay 15 also maintains ,both ofthe slow relays 1-6 and 18 operated during impulses. Relay .18 while energized, maintains .a short circuit about the two relays 42 and 43 in-the circuit of ,the .line .relay .36 to give .more positive operation of said .relay. The circuit for line relay 36 extends from ground thru .its lower winding, springs 37 and 38, .conductor 39, contact 40 and wiper 20, splings .4;1,.sprin gs 66 of ,relay .18, springs 35, =wiper ,19 and contact 44., conductor 45, springs 46 and 47 .and upper winding of ,relay 36 to battery.

Line relay 36 therefore responds to this operation of relay ,15 and theselector .F is operated in the same manner as was .the selector rD (Fig. l.) to ,pick outsome level .of contacts and .to select an idle set-ofcontacts in that group. It willbeunderstood-thatin case thercalling subscriber desires to call .a local subscriber in this second exchange, then selector F will be operated ito seizeone of the regular connectorsof the system and thenthe called iline. .In-thiscase/however. I haveassumed that the call is.-to.be extended still farther than this second exchange, and the selector .will therefore be operated to seize a selector irepeater .such as G, a number of which are provided for outgoing .calls from each exchange. Therefore as soon as relay .70of theselector .F energizes the relay 68 ort .the selector-repeaterG .is substituted for the linerelay 36 under the control of line relay l5. Relay 68 is therefore cont-rolled thru the medium of line relay 15 in response to the impulses of thenext digitto step the wipers of selector repeater G to a level of trunks leading to the next exchange, relay 69 operates to. ground therelease trunk and hold relay 70 of the selector F energized. prepares the circuit of the vertical magnet '71 :andrelay 72-and also closes the springs 73. The circuit controlled by springs 73 is however ineffective in this call due to the fact that G has been seizedby an incoming selector F and not by a local selector such as D and thereislno aneter conduct-or extending thru the selector .F. After relay .72 falls back the rotary magnet circuit is controlled as it was in selector repeater E to select an idle trunk line in the elected level and to close the talking circuit through to the line relay of the selector I (Fig. 4). As soon as the line relay 83 of the selector I energizes it closes a circuit for relay 81 and for slow relay 82, relay 81 is similar to relay 53 of selector F (Fig. 3) and in this case operates to send an impulse of current to the magnet 78 of the selector-repeater G from battery Y Magnet 78 operates to step the wiper 'ofthe minor switch B one step and also repeats the impulse back to the magnet 48 of the selector repeater E (Fig; 2) by closing the springs 84, battery Y being similar to batteries Y and Y Magnet 48 (Fig. 2) therefore operates to step the wiper of the minor switchB to its second contact. Assuming that the trunk lines between the three exchanges are of the unit length, that is, each requiring 'aunit-charge then the switch B will haveits wipercon'nected to the timed interrupter N, which, it is "assumed will operate to send 1 impulse from ground each 2 seconds. f

The next series 'of impulses will operate the selector I of thethird' exchangein the same manner as selector F was operated except that in this case the selector wil'lbe elevated to a'level of contacts in which are located connector switches, such asvH, which have access to the desired group of local subscribers as soonas slow series relay 85 falls back relays 87 and magnet 86 will begin opei'ation to automatically select an'idle connector, assumed to be the connector H. The next series of impulses will operate the line relay 88 of the connector H which is of standard type to step the wipers to a certain level. Relay 89 puts ground on the release trunk and prepares the circuit of vertical magnet 90 and after the first series of impulses to the switch, relay 91 falls back and prepares the circuit of the rotary magnet 92 and slow relay 93.

The next series of impulses will operate relay 88 to cause magnet 92 to step the wipers to the contacts of the desired subscribers line. If the called line is busy, relay 94 will operate to give the busy signal to the calling party. If the line is idle, however, relay 95 energizes and locks energized and connects ringing current to the called line.

As soon as the called subscriber answers a circuit will be completed for the ring-cut-oif relay 96 which operates to disconnect ringing current, closes the springs 97 which are ineffective at this time, and cuts the called line thru to the back bridge or reversing relay 98.

Now when relay 98 energizes it reverses the connections of the line relay 88 to the talking circuit and therefore reverses the flow of current in the upper winding of the bridged electropolarized relay 99 of the selector repeater Gr (Fig. 3). Relay 99 closes the springs 100 which are ineffective at this time and closes the circuit of the reversing relay 102 to reverse the connection of the line relay 68 to the talking circuit. ahead. This reversal of current causes the operation of electropolarized relay 43 of the selector repeater E (Fig. 2) in the same manner as relay 99 was operated. Relay 43 however in closing its springs 103 completes a circuit for the meter magnet X of the calling line thru to the wiper of the minor switch B and thence to the interrupter N (Fig. 2). It will be seen therefore that as long as conversation continues the magnet X will continue to operate once per each 2 seconds of time until either of the relays 16 or 43 are deenergized by the hanging up of the receiver at the calling or called station.

It will be understood that a call may be thus extended thrn any number of intermediate zones or exchanges, and that the minor switch of the outgoing selector repeater of the exchange in which the calling subscriber is located, is the only one which is effective to operate the meter and may be connected to any one of a plurality of common interrupters during the progress of a call. Also it will beunderstood that the interrupters M, N, etc., are common to all the outgoing selector repeat-ers of an exchange and may be operated continuously or at least as long as any selector repeater is being used. It will be seen that the operating impulses for controlling the minor switch in the originating exchange are repeated back through the various selectors between series of impulses and that the connections from the magnets 48, 78 etc., of the selector repeaters are cut off from the talking circuit by the relays 18 and 72 during the transmission of impulses and by the relays 43 and 99 during conversation. I have shown the minor switches B and B only diagrammatically it being understood that these switches may be of any approved and simple type. These switches should be of the type which have a holding dog such as 105 and 106, these dogs being disengaged from the ratchet teeth when the release magnets of the associated switches operate to release the switches, thus restoring the minor switch to normal.

It will also be understood that in case a call is set up from a calling subscriber such as A, thru a line switch C, a selector D and a connector H, (Fig. 4) to a subscriber in the same exchange then the meter X will be operated once when the called party answers by the operation of the ring cut off relay 96 of the connector, which connects ground to the meter trunk or fourth conductor and holds the magnet X energized until conversation is terminated.

then register only long distance calls,

It'will therefore be seen that I have provided a very efficient and simple system of zone metering which requires very little additional equipment and in which most of the additional devices are common to the switches of an exchange.

Having fully described and ascertained the features and aspects of my invention, what I consider to be new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent will be pointed out in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a telephone system, subscribens lines, trunk lines, means for extendinga connection from a-calling line over a number of said trunk lines to a called one of said lines, a meter for the calling line, meter controlling devices, a plurality of timed interrupters common to said devices, means associated with each trunk line for transmitting one or more impulses to one of said devices as the call is extended, said device responsive to said impulses to connect said meter to one of said interruptcrs, and means controlled'by the called subscriber for causing said meter to be operated at a rate dependent on the interrupter connected with.

2. In a telephone system, a subscribers line, a meter therefor, automatic switches accessible to said subscribers line, trunk lines accessible to each of said switches, switching devices associated with certain of said automatic switches, a plurality of interrupters common to said devices, means for operating said switches to extend a call including a plurality of said trunk lines, means for operating one of said switching devices over the various trunk lines as the call is extended thereto to pick out a certain one of said interrupters, and means operated when the call is completed for causing the selected interrupter to operate the meter to charge at a predetermined rate.

3. In a telephone system, a calling line, a meter for said line, automatic switches for extending connections from said line, switching devices for certain of said automatic switches, a plurality of interrupters common to said switching devices each operating to transmit impulses at a different rate of speed, trunk lines accessible to said automatic switches, said switches each controlled from a calling line to extend a connection therefrom over a plurality of successive trunk lines to a called line in another exchange, means associated with each trunk line operated when the connection is made therewith to cause one of said switching devices to select and connect with a different interrupter, and means controlled "by the completion of the connection for connecting the last selected interrupter to the meter.

4. In a telephone system, calling lines,"

a meter for each line, automatic switches accessible to said lines, a plurality of timed impulse senders commonto said switches, trunk lines accessible to said switches, step by step auxiliary switches one associated with each of said automatic switches, means controlled from anyone of said lines for seizing one of said'automatic switches and for operating it to seize a trunk line, means therefrom, meter controlling devices com mon to said switches, step by step switches one associated with each of said automatic switches, said step by step switches each having a magnet, means for sending impulses of booster battery from extended connections to operate the magnet of the associated switch to cause said switch to pick out a meter controlling device, and means for connecting said device with the meter of the calling line when the connection is com leted.

6. In a telephone system, lines, a meter for each line, automatic switches accessible to any line for extending talking connections therefrom, meter controlling devices common to said switches, step by step switches one associated with each automatic switch, said step by step switches each haw ing a magnet, means for sending impulses of booster battery from extended connections to operate the magnet of the associated switch to cause said switch to pick out the meter controlling device, and means for connecting said device with the meter of the calling line when the connection is completcd, said magnet connected to the talking circuit before the connection is completed and disconnected therefrom when the called subscriber answers.

7. In a telephone system, lines, a meter for each line, automatic switches accessible to any line for extending talking connections therefrom, meter controlling devices comill) mon to said switches, step by step switches one associated with each of certain ones of said automatic switches, each step by step switch having a magnet, means for sending impulses of booster battery from the extended connection to operate said magnet to cause said switch to pick out a meter controlling device, and means for connecting said device with the meter of the calling line when the connectionis being extended but disconnected therefrom while impulses are being transmitted from the calling subscriber to extend the connection.

8. In a telephone system, a line, a meter. therefor, trunk lines, automatic switches accessible to said line and operable to extend connections from said line over a variable number ofsaid trunk lines, a plurality of timed impulse senders, common to said automatic switches, means associated with the first automatic switch taken for use operated step by step as additional trunk lines are added to the connection to associate the meter of the calling line with one of said impulse senders, the sender selected depending upon the number of trunk lines included in the connection.

9. In a telephone system, a line, a meter therefor, trunk lines, an automatic switch for said line for extending connections therefrom over a variable number of said trunk lines, a plurality of interrupters common to a plurality of said automatic switches, each sending a different number of impulses per unit of time, a step by step auxiliary switch associated with said automatic switch, and means for sending impulses of current from each trunk line as it is connected with during the extension of a connection to operate said auxiliary switch to associate said meter with one of said interrupters.

10. In a telephone system, lines, a meter for each line, a series of timed impulse senders common to said lines, each timed to send a different number of impulses per unit of time, trunk lines, means for setting up a talking connection from a calling one of said lines to a called line by successively connecting said line through a number of said trunk lines, means for sending an impulse over each added trunk line, and means operated each time a trunk line is added to the connection responsive to the impulse delivered by the added trunk line to associate a difierent one of said interrupters with the meter of the calling line.

11. In a telephone system, calling and called lines, a meter associated with each of said calling lines, a plurality of serially related trunk lines having automatic switches associated therewith for completing connections between said lines, an auxiliary switch associated with one of said trunk lines and having access to a plurality of interrupter devices, means in each of said automatic switches for closing an operating circuit for said auxiliary switch, and means controlled by the called subscriber for causing the interrupter device selected to operate the meter.

12. In a telephone system, subscribers lines, trunk lines, means for extending a connection from a calling line over a plurality of said trunk lines to a called one of said lines, a re istering device for the calling line, a register controlling device, a plurality of interrupters common to a plurality of said registering devices, means associated with each trunk line for transmitting one or more impulses to said device as the call is extended thereover, said device responsive to the first impulse to associate the meter with one of said interrupters and at each subsequent operation associate the meter with a different one of said interrupters.

13. In a telephone system, subscribers lines, means for extending a connection from a calling to a called line, a meter for the calling line, a meter controlling device, a plurality of timed interrupters accessible to said device, means for transmitting impulses back over the extended connection to operate said device to associate the meter with a particular one of said interrupters, and means controlled by the called subscriber for causing said interrup-ter to operate the meter.

14. In a telephone system, subscribers lines, trunk lines, means for extending a con- I nection from a calling to a called subscribers line over said trunk lines, a meter for the calling line, a plurality of impulse senders for operating said meter at different rates of speed, an impulse sender selecting device, means associated with each trunk line for operating said impulse sender selecting device upon seizure of the trunk to select one of said impulse senders, the impulse sender finally selected being dependent upon the number of trunk lines to which the connection is extended, and means operative in response to the called subscriber answering for connecting the selected impulse sender to the meter to cause the same to operate at a rate determined by the impulse sender selected.

15. In a telephone system, subscribers lines, serially related trunk lines. means for extending a connection from a calling to a called subscribers line over a plurality of said trunk lines, a meter for the calling line, meter controlling devices, a device for selecting any one of said meter controlling devices, the meter controlling device selected depending upon the number of trunks through which the connection is extended, means associated with each trunk line for operating said selecting device over one side 1 of said trunk lines, and means operative when the called subscriber answers for connecting the selected device to the meter.

16. In a. telephone system, subscribers lines, trunk lines, means for extending connections from calling to called subscribers lines over one or a plurality of said trunk lines, a meter for the calling line, meter controlling devices common to said lines, a selecting device, means associated with each trunk line for operating said selecting device each time a trunk is added to the connection to cause the same to select a different one of said meter controlling devices, and means controlled by the response of the called subscriber for rendering efi'ective the last selected meter controlling device to operate said meter in accordance with the meter controlling device selected.

17. In a telephone system, subscribers lines, means for establishing connections between said lines over a plurality of serially related trunk lines a plurality of timing devices, means for selecting any one of said timing devices, the timing device selected depending on the number of trunk lines used in establishing the connection. and means operated in response to the removal of the re ceiver at the called station to connect registering mechanism into operative relation with the timing device selected.

18. In a telephone system. a plurality of exchanges, subscribers lines in each exchange, means including a plurality of trunk lines for extending a connection from a line in one exchange to a line in another exchange through a number of intermediate exchanges, a meter for the calling line, a plurality of meter (:OntrOlling devices each operating at a different rate of speed, a selecting device for selecting any one of said meter controllin g devices, means associated With each trunk line for transmitting one or more impulses to said selecting device as the call is extended, said device responsive to said impulses to select one of said meter controllingdcvices, and means controlled by the called subscriber for causing the said meter to be operated at a rate dependent on the meter contIOlling device connected with.

19. In a telephone system, calling and called lines, trunk lines each requiring a toll charge, means for extending connections between said lines over one or more of said trunk lines. and means for automatically charging the calling subscriber according to the length of time the connection is in talking condition at a rate depending on the number of trunk lines used, said means controlled from each trunk line as it is added to the connection.

20. In a telephone system, calling and called lines, trunk lines each requiring a toll charge, means for extending connections between said lines over one or more of said trunk lines, a plurality of timed interrupters each operating at a different speed, and means including one of said interrupters for automatically charging the calling subscriber according to the length of time the connection is in talking condition at a rate depending on the number of trunk lines used, said means controlled from each trunk line as it is added to the connection.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook County, State of Illinois. this 30th day of December. 1919. a i a?! WILLIAM WALTER OWEN. 

